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Launch from Arnhem Space Centre: milestone for Australia's space industry
Photo: AFP
Nasa has launched a rocket from the remote wilderness of Australia.
It took off on Sunday from the private space center Arnhem Space Center in the north of the country - it was NASA's first rocket launch from private property outside the United States.
The rocket was used to bring technology for a telescope into low-Earth orbit.
This is intended to explore astronomical phenomena that can only be observed from the southern hemisphere.
The mission will carry detectors to measure X-rays, for example.
These are created by hot gases that fill the space between stars.
This is how the development of galaxies should be researched, according to NASA in a statement.
"It's a momentous event for us as a company, but it's historic for Australia," said Equatorial Launch Australia boss Michael Jones before launch.
Jones spoke of a "coming out party" for the Australian space industry.
The chance to work with NASA is a milestone for private space companies in the country.
Nasa is also looking forward to the new perspective: "We are pleased to be able to launch important scientific missions from the southern hemisphere and to see targets that we cannot see from the USA," said the head of Nasa's department for Heliophysics, Nicky Fox.
70 NASA employees traveled to Australia for the launch.
View of the Southern Cross
Australia's arid landscape and proximity to the equator offer optimal conditions for space launches.
Two more are planned from the Arnhem Space Center in the coming weeks.
Alpha Centauri, the star closest to Earth after the Sun, will be observed.
Alpha Centauri is located near the constellation of the Southern Cross.
This constellation can only be seen in the southern sky.
NASA is Equatorial Launch Australia's first customer.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the project as the start of a new era for the country's space industry.
joe/AFP/Reuters
